August 20, 2010

UPDATED: Reuters Double Standard on Negotiating Stance

Israel insists it is ready for direct talks provided there are no preconditions. The Palestinians are ready provided there is a clear agenda.

If you said the news service uses language to casts doubt on Israel's sincerity ("Israel insists..."), while accepting as fact the Palestinian assertion that they are ready to meet ("Palestinians are ready..."), then you're right.

This skewed language comes not long after an earlier Reuters report told readers that the attack by pro-Palestinian activists on Israeli troops boarding the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara was nothing more than an Israeli claim, in effect suggesting, despite clear video evidence, that Israeli soldiers might not have been attacked.

Aug. 23 update: Reuters has acknowledged in communications with CAMERA that their language about negotiations was not appropriate.